The UK embassy in Kuwait has announced a new electronic visa waiver (EVW) system for Kuwaiti passport holders to travel to the UK for business and tourism.

The EVW will allow Kuwaiti passport holders to travel to the UK for a visit of up to six months by filling in an online form at least 48 hours before they travel to the UK, the UK embassy in Kuwait said in a press release on Sunday.

The scheme removes the need to give biometrics, attend a visa application centre or hand in passports in advance of travel. To cover the costs of the new system, a fee of around seven Kuwaiti dinars will be introduced early next year, it said.

UK Ambassador to Kuwait Mathew Lodge said the new visa system is a sign of deep and permanent relations between the UK and the State of Kuwait, according to the release He added that in light of the historic ties between both countries, the UK is committed to introducing an electronic visa waiver system to facilitate the travel of Kuwaiti nationals to the UK, it added.

The Ambassador hoped that when the fresh scheme is rolled out early next year, many Kuwaitis would seize the opportunity to visit the UK, the press release noted.